Experience the unparalleled excitement of the National Collegiate Men's Volleyball Championship, returning to the Covelli Center in Columbus from May 8-12, 2025. This prestigious tournament, featuring the nation's top collegiate teams, is renowned for its electric atmosphere. This marks the seventh time Columbus has hosted, its first since 2021. Get your tickets now to see all the action live.
Championship Format
A high-stakes competition sees eight elite volleyball programs vying for the national championship.
The initial quarterfinal round matchups are determined by seeding. Seeding is decided by season record and strength of schedule. Every match in the tournament is a best-of-five sets competition, with each set played to 25 points. This tournament features rally scoring, where a point is scored on every serve, no matter which team served.
If the score is tied at 24, teams must win by two points to secure victory. If the score is tied 2-2 after four sets, a final fifth set to 15 points will decide the outcome.
All quarterfinal matches are scheduled for May 8, and the four winning teams will progress to the semifinals. Quarterfinal matchups are listed below (semifinal/final times are listed on our event page).
- 11 a.m. | No. 3 UCLA vs. No. 6 Belmont Abbey
- 1:30 p.m. | No. 2 Hawaii vs. No. 7 Penn St.
- 5 p.m. | No. 1 Long Beach St. vs. No. 8 Fort Valley St.
- 7:30 p.m. | No. 4 Pepperdine vs. No. 5 Loyola Chicago
This is a single-elimination tournament, meaning that a team is out of the tournament after losing a match.
Tournament Preview
Despite Long Beach holding the top seed in the tournament, they suffered an upset last month in the Big West tournament. Second-seeded Hawaii defeated them 3-1 in the final, positioning themselves as a favorite heading into the National Championship.
Nevertheless, the shadow of UCLA, the two-time defending champions, looms large. The Bruins boast a remarkable 21 titles at this event, dwarfing the five wins of the next most successful program (Pepperdine).
Hawaii vs. UCLA isn’t the only potential thriller. The quarterfinal match between Pepperdine and Loyola Chicago also promises intrigue. It will be a rematch of their January nail-biter, where Loyola Chicago narrowly survived after squandering a two-set lead.
>> Already planning your game day? Check out our fan guide for pre-game spots, parking info and more.
History of the Tournament & Fan Experience
Columbus has hosted this tournament seven times, the first being in 1978, just seven years after the championship began. While the first five were held at St. John Arena, the city's most recent hosting in 2021 was the first at the Covelli Center, which opened in 2019.
Columbus saw California schools lift the championship trophy in its first four hosting years. This early trend reflects California's overall dominance in the tournament, with Golden State teams claiming victory in 40 of the 52 events.
Bucking the trend of California champions in Columbus were the beloved hometown Ohio State Buckeyes, who claimed the title in 2017, and the University of Hawai'i, who won in 2021.
The Covelli Center, which is also home to Ohio State women's volleyball, wrestling, and gymnastics, comes alive for special events like this. Fans will experience a non-stop electric atmosphere where the energy is always high, fueled by a boisterous crowd and spirited announcer.
And the best part? Nobody will miss a single spike or dig, because every seat in the house offers fantastic views.
In addition to the matchups, Saturday features a Fan Fest where families can meet Ohio State alumni and enjoy food trucks, volleyball games, and other activities. On Sunday, there will be a free youth clinic from 1-4 p.m.
Head here for more on the tournament or go to Ohio State's website to get tickets.
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